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Monday, October 17, 2016

Lincoln's Birthplace - Hodgenville, KY

On the way back south through the Blue Grass State, I made a slight detour
to visit the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.

I’m astounded to realize that I’ve now seen (among other significant Lincoln sites) Abe's crime scene, death bed, final resting place, adult residence, last residence, and now – finally - first residence.

Typical frontier cabin replica.

"Stalker", John says.

But what student of American history isn’t fascinated by this man? This
improbable leader, genius, giant.

The Lincoln family - father Thomas, mother Nancy, sister Sarah, and baby Abraham.

No original structures on the Lincoln
farm survive. But we are fortunate that this remote, rural, and still-agricultural plot of land was spared the erosion of development.

During Teddy Roosevelt’s administration, a memorial to the birthplace was built on a hill overlooking the old farmstead.

56 steps for every year of Lincoln’s life.

Inside, a replica of a frontier cabin.

The museum and film are top-notch. Entrance to this NP site
is free, but in the donation box, I place the fitting sum of $5.01

About 10 miles down the road is the second Lincoln home
where the family lived until 1816. Also saved from development. Walking through the serene fields, it's not at all hard to imagine young Abe out there helping with chores and practicing his lettering in the dirt.

At the time, there
was a schoolhouse a few miles down the road where Lincoln's two-year total of formal
education began.